Firefighters on Thursday continued to battle multiple deadly wildfires that erupted across Los Angeles, creating an apocalyptic scene as residents fled the raging infernos.
At least five fires were active in Los Angeles County, scorching more than 40 square miles across the region, according to Cal Fire. The Palisades Fire in the coastal Pacific Palisades community and the Eaton Fire, located east in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains, remained the largest blazes with 0% containment.
Mayor Karen Bass, speaking at a press briefing Thursday, said \"heroic\" firefighters aided by air operations are making progress against the flames.
\"Historic winds and extensive drought have created a perfect storm that has driven people from their homes, have taken people's homes and have taken people's lives,\" Bass said. \"This is absolutely an unprecedented historic firestorm, but we are all hands on deck.\"
Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said it was too early to provide a death toll. He said almost 180,000 people have been ordered to evacuate, and another 200,000 face evacuation warnings. And he said 20 people have been arrested for looting.
\"Individuals who chose to go into areas and deprive these poor people who have been through so much,\" Luna said. \"Absolutely unacceptable. If you are in one of these areas where you do not belong, you are going to be arrested.\"
Extreme Santa Ana winds have hindered firefighting operations and spread the fires that began breaking out earlier this week. Officials said the winds had eased somewhat Thursday, but the National Weather Service said critical fire weather could last through Friday.
There were some breakthroughs. Firefighters gained the upper hand on The Sunset Fire that forced mandatory evacuations in Hollywood and the Hollywood Hills − including iconic locations such as the TCL Chinese Theatre and the Hollywood Walk of Fame. All evacuations from that fire were rescinded, authorities said.
Los Angeles Fire chief Kristin Crowley said firefighters were in a \"much better posture\" to battle the wildfires Thursday. But she said preliminary reports estimated the number of damaged or destroyed structures to be \"in the thousands.\"
\"It is safe to say the Palisades Fire is one of the most destructive natural disasters in the history of Los Angeles,\" Crowley said.
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